Two days after Selby defends his title against Fernando Montiel in Arizona on 14 October, Cleverly will aim to take a step towards becoming a two-time titlist by taking on a prime Fonfara 1,750 miles away in Chicago, Illinois.

Selby said: “It’s a tough fight. I’ve seen Fonfara training out in [Las] Vegas. He was in Johnny Tocco’s gym when I was training there. I saw him hitting the bags and he’s a big guy, a good fighter.

“His brother showed us the fight with Adonis Stevenson [Unanimous Decision loss in May 2014], how he put him down and that. So, he has power, he can hit hard. It’s a tough fight for Nathan but a winnable one.”

The Welshmen will be appearing on Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions [PBC] shows for the first time. If Selby and Cleverly are victorious, it may mean their forthcoming fights for the foreseeable future will be in America, too.

Speaking of the part-time transition, Selby said: “Representing the country in America, it’s emotional stuff for us, isn’t it?

“I’m happy to fight in America, it’s a massive stage for me but I wouldn’t move out there. I’ll just go out there for training camps and fights.

“I don’t find it homely enough to live there. My home is in the UK but the training, sparring and fights out there, you can’t beat it in America.”